Madison Sharp

MADISON SHARP, a pioneer settler of Labette county, Kansas, is living in the southwest quarter of section 18, township 34, range 20, in Hackberry township. He was born in Claiborne county, in Eastern Tennessee, in 1834, and is a son of Isaac and Chloe (Berry) Sharp.

Isaac Sharp was a native of Tennessee, as was his wife. He served in the Black Hawk War, and died en route to California, in 1849. He and his wife had the following children, namely: John J.; Madison; Betsy Ann; Jefferson; Joseph; George; Emery; Easter and Polly, twins; Amanda; and William.

Madison Sharp removed with his parents to Illinois, when a small boy. This was during the Blackhawk War, in which his father took part. There, Madison was reared, and he remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He then removed to the southeast corner of Macoupin county, where he farmed until 1865. In that year he went to Texas. In August, 1867, in company with 80 others he removed to Kansas, and first located at Chetopa. He lived for two years in Neosho county, and meanwhile took a claim in Neosho Grove township, Labette county, - in the northeast quarter of section 13, township 34, range 19. He made several improvements on this land. In 1869, he moved to Labette county, and lived on his claim until 1898. He then built his present home in Hackberry township in the southwest quarter of section 18, township 34, range 20. His daughter, Martha J., had proved this quarter section. Mr. Sharp was one of the first settlers to build in the township, at the time when there no other houses in sight. Mr. Sharp now owns and manages over a section of land. He carries on diversified farming, and raises a high grade of cattle and hogs. He is a thrifty and conscientious fanner, and always finds time to assist in any public enterprise, which is for the good of the community.

Mr. Sharp was united in marriage with Mary Thomas, in Illinois. She is a native of Tennessee, and is now seventy-eight years old. To this union have been born eight children, namely: Martha Jane (Peters), who lives in Indiana; Thomas J., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Elsie; Isaac, who is a railroad man in Texas; Walter, who lives in Labette county; James, who lives near his father's farm; Mary (Taylor), of Georgia; and Amanda (Perkins), of Labette county.

In politics, Mr. Sharp is a Republican; although he has always taken a deep interest in the political affairs of his county, he has declined to accept public office. He is a member of the Anti-Horsethief Association. In religious views, he is liberal.